Helen Joyce Ross

Helen Joyce Ross, born Maryl Ann Erlenmeyer Surrounded by family on the morning of April 2, 2016, Helen passed away at Brookdale Assisted Living Center in Chubbuck, Idaho after a multiyear battle with dementia. She was 75 years young. Helen was born November 17, 1940 in Whittier, California. She was the second child of AnnJanetta and William “Bill” Erlenmeyer who, along with younger sister Annette Erlenmeyer, preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother William "Bill" (Bette) Erlenmeyer of Glendale, AZ and sister Janice (Thor) Ericson of La Habra Heights, CA. Helen lives on through her two sons Kevin (Dixie) Donyes of Pocatello, ID, Kerry (Sabrina) Donyes of Vista, CA and daughter Julie (John) Viera of Ferndale, WA. She leaves behind 13 grandchildren: Bryan Donyes, Nicole Langsdorf, Adam Donyes, Kristin Heath, Jessica Kroll, Stefanee Cunningham, Nicholas Viera, Sarah Viera, Stephanie Viera, Jennifer Viera, Alyssa Donyes, Tianna Donyes, Jessica Donyes, and 11 great grandchildren. While born in California, Helen spent much of her childhood abroad. She travelled with her family to Saudi Arabia, then attended boarding school in Lebanon before returning to the States to study at Gould Academy in Maine. It was there that Helen met Merle White, with whom she would marry and share three children. However, it was not meant to be and after their marriage ended in divorce, Helen sought help from her parents to raise her children. Five years later, Helen met Charles Franklin “Frank” Donyes. They soon married in 1967 and Frank adopted Kevin, Julie and Kerry. The bunch settled into Cerritos, California where family time was spent fishing, playing cards, visiting Seal Beach and camping in Mammoth. As the children went to school, so did Helen as she earned her Associate’s degree from Cerritos Junior College. With that she worked as an instructional aide, especially for special education, in California and later in Washington. Several years later when almost all of the children were grown, Helen and Frank too divorced and Helen sought out for a new adventure. Wherever she went she always found herself near to the sea and even nearer to family. She especially loved being around to help raise and spoil her many grandchildren. Helen followed her family up and down the West Coast, as far north as Eagle River, Alaska and as south as San Diego, California. She married again to John “Edward” Myers which later ended. However, Helen could never give up on love and turned to family for support. She did her best to share and spread her love as far and as often as she could. Her grandchildren remember her always making everyone feel special; presents for every occasion, loud and passionate cheers at little league, and always a “yes” to dessert. In her later years, it became apparent that Helen would need full time assistance with her daily needs. The very difficult decision was made to move her to Brookdale Assisted living in Chubbuck where she was very lovingly cared for by the entire staff. Her family would like to thank all of the wonderful aides in the memory care unit who took such excellent care of her until her passing. A service will be held April 9th at Cornelison Funeral Home (431 N. 15th Ave Pocatello 208-232-0542 ). Greeting and receiving will take place at 1:00 followed by the service at 2:00. A meal and celebration of Helen’s life will be held afterwards at Kevin and Dixie’s home (1569 East Fork Mink Creek Rd., Pocatello 208-232-6412 ). In lieu of flowers donations can be made at http://act.alz.org/goto/HelenJoyceRoss_tribute Select donate, in memory of donation, Helen Joyce Ross. Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 16 at 10:00 am in the North Coast Church, 2405 North Sante Fe Ave., Vista, CA, (760) 724-6700. The family will receive friends at 9:30 am. There will be a reception held in The Wood Shed - Event Venue, Progress St. Suite B, Vista, CA, (760) 295-0217. We will go to the beach, all those interested, you are welcome to come. We will be spreading some of moms ashes. She loved the beach. Thank you, Kevin, Julie, and Kerry.

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